Pentecost 3

Bible Readings

First reading: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm: Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

Second reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

As they were going along the road,
someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”

And Jesus said to him,

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;
 but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Luke 9:57-58

Prayers

• We pray for our families and friends, and all people in need in Australia and the world.
• Lord God bless us as we gather with your people.
  Help us to use the gifts we have been given
  for the wellbeing of Christ’s Body,
  that your life and grace may shine
  through all that we are and do.

Partnership in Prayer – Call to Lay Ministry

• Pray for lay people who give with love, without agenda or expectation.
• Pray for lay people who lead worship in their local congregation
• Pray for lay people who provide pastoral care and support to those who are sick, lonely, grieving, or distressed
• Pray for lay people serving as members of Church Council, Elders, Pastoral Care Group, Presbytery representative, or in other local leadership roles
• Pray for lay people undertaking training that will enable them to preach sermons or to preside at the sacraments in their local congregation
• Pray for lay people who clean, unlock, or lock up the church building; who provide flowers, hand out hymn books, operate the PA and data projection system, and host morning tea after church
• Pray for lay people who have a faithful ministry of prayer for others
• Pray for lay people who use their gifts of encouragement and wisdom to build up and bless those around them
• Pray for lay people who nurture children and young people, seeking to create a safe environment and to be positive role models for our emerging community of faith

Thanksgiving

Thank you, Jesus, our gentle king,
that you became a servant to all,
and gave up your life for us.

As your followers,
make us humble, so that, like you,
we serve others.

For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Amen.

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
Meister Eckhart - a 14^th century German philosopher, mystic, and theologian.